Southampton executive director Les Reed has told BBC Sport that he will consider this season to have been a disappointment if the club fail to make it into Europe.

Southampton have defied expectations to occupy a standing in the upper echelons of the Premier League table all season.

Most onlookers would suggest that, whatever happens from here on in, the Saints have put together a very impressive campaign, but Reed has loftier ambitions and admits that he would be disappointed if the side didn't claim a spot in the Europa League.

"I would be disappointed if we didn't make Europe this season, but we have set our own standards now and we are confident over the course of the coming years we will play in Europe and we are confident we are right to have an aspiration to play in the Champions League."

Southampton are currently in seventh place in the top-flight standing, so they will have to have a strong end to the season if they are to prevent Reed from feeling disappointed.

At the moment Ronald Koeman's side are in a battle with Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool for a place in Europe's secondary competition, but they are likely to be the team with the most motivation to make it.

John Verrall

John is a sports journalism graduate from Staffordshire University. He is a huge football fan and a minute-by-minute writer for UEFA.com, as well as being a freelance writer for Sports New Media. John has also seen his work been published by the likes of The Guardian, World Soccer and Shoot Magazine over the course of his bourgeoning journalism career so far. He has a particular expertise in all things to do with the Football League – and is a passionate Peterborough United fan.